{"schemaVersion":1,"slug":"full-converter-wind-turbine-generator","name":"Full-converter wind turbine generator (Type 4)","kind":"symbol","abbreviation":"WTG T4","aliases":["Type 4 wind turbine","full-scale converter WTG","full-power converter wind turbine"],"category":"microgrid-systems","drawingTypes":["SLD"],"referenceFamilies":["IEC","IEEE / ANSI"],"summary":"A wind turbine whose entire generator output passes through a full-rated back-to-back converter before reaching the network.","description":["In a Type 4 turbine the generator, commonly a permanent-magnet or wound-field synchronous machine and sometimes an induction machine, is fully decoupled from the network by a back-to-back converter rated for the whole turbine output. The machine-side converter rectifies variable-frequency generator output to a DC link and the grid-side converter produces network-frequency AC.","Single-line drawings show the generator circle, a machine-side converter block, a DC link with chopper or brake resistor, a grid-side converter block and the line filter before the step-up transformer. Some drawings collapse this to a generator and a single converter symbol labelled with the conversion direction.","The network sees a converter, not a rotating machine, so fault current is limited to the converter capability and reactive output is a control function. The symbol does not tell you whether the converter is grid-following or grid-forming, which must be checked in the plant control description."],"readingNotes":["Treat the turbine short-circuit contribution as converter-limited.","A DC chopper resistor in the link absorbs energy during network faults; it is not a load."],"drawingChecklist":["State generator type and full converter rating.","Show DC link chopper and line filter.","Reference converter control mode and ride-through data."],"distinction":"A Type 4 turbine routes all power through the converter; a DFIG routes only rotor slip power through it.","facts":[{"label":"Generator type","value":"Usually permanent-magnet synchronous"},{"label":"Converter rating","value":"Full turbine output"},{"label":"Network interface","value":"Converter-based, current limited"},{"label":"Preview","value":"Independent educational illustration; consult the applicable standard and project legend for the exact graphic"}],"references":[{"sourceId":"autodesk-generators","relevance":"Public permanent-magnet synchronous generator symbol context."},{"sourceId":"pub-symbol-station-types","relevance":"Wind station representation used as site-level context."}],"related":["permanent-magnet-synchronous-generator","doubly-fed-induction-generator","wind-generating-station","grid-following-inverter"],"artwork":"s28-full-converter-wind-turbine-generator","publishedOn":"2026-10-28","updatedOn":"2026-10-28","provenance":"independent-public-research","plainEnglish":{"title":"What does Full-converter wind turbine generator (Type 4) mean?","introduction":"In a Type 4 turbine the generator, commonly a permanent-magnet or wound-field synchronous machine and sometimes an induction machine, is fully decoupled from the network by a back-to-back converter rated for the whole turbine output. The machine-side converter rectifies variable-frequency generator output to a DC link and the grid-side converter produces network-frequency AC.","example":"Single-line drawings show the generator circle, a machine-side converter block, a DC link with chopper or brake resistor, a grid-side converter block and the line filter before the step-up transformer. Some drawings collapse this to a generator and a single converter symbol labelled with the conversion direction.","drawings":"The network sees a converter, not a rotating machine, so fault current is limited to the converter capability and reactive output is a control function. The symbol does not tell you whether the converter is grid-following or grid-forming, which must be checked in the plant control description.","terms":[{"name":"DC","meaning":"Direct current: electricity flowing in one direction."},{"name":"AC","meaning":"Alternating current: electricity whose direction changes periodically."},{"name":"Winding","meaning":"A coil of conductor inside an electrical machine or transformer."}],"diagram":"flow","steps":["Identify the device and form","Read the connections and state","Check the equipment reference"],"caption":"A guide to reading this reference. The original symbol illustration and its drawing notes appear below; these boxes are not a wiring diagram.","sources":[{"label":"Generator symbol variants","url":"https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-09BE3BB5-9118-4302-8061-3888692E538F.htm"},{"label":"AutoCAD Electrical: Power station and substation concepts","url":"https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-74EF80E8-018D-4A57-88BD-FF973F1B8185.htm"}],"detail":"A wind turbine whose entire generator output passes through a full-rated back-to-back converter before reaching the network. A Type 4 turbine routes all power through the converter; a DFIG routes only rotor slip power through it.","profileId":"reviewed-symbol-20261028"},"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/symbols/full-converter-wind-turbine-generator","illustration":{"url":"https://eloragrid.ai/tools/electrical-library/illustrations/full-converter-wind-turbine-generator.svg","scope":"Original educational concept; not an official standard graphic or product footprint","license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"sources":[{"id":"autodesk-generators","title":"Generator symbol variants","publisher":"Autodesk","url":"https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-09BE3BB5-9118-4302-8061-3888692E538F.htm","type":"cad-reference","scope":"DC and three-phase synchronous generator categories.","checkedOn":"2026-10-13","reuse":"link-only","relevance":"Public permanent-magnet synchronous generator symbol context."},{"id":"pub-symbol-station-types","title":"AutoCAD Electrical: Power station and substation concepts","publisher":"Autodesk","url":"https://help.autodesk.com/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Electrical/files/GUID-74EF80E8-018D-4A57-88BD-FF973F1B8185.htm","type":"cad-reference","scope":"Public vendor catalogue naming and functional variants. Vendor block names are not IEC identifiers. Linked for reference; no graphics or CAD files are redistributed.","checkedOn":"2026-10-13","reuse":"link-only","relevance":"Wind station representation used as site-level context."}]}